Multiple stage roller pulverizer



Patented Mar. 15, 1949' MULTIPLE STAGE ROLLER PULVERIZER Samuel William Traylor, Jr., Allentown, Pa.

Application August 9, 1945, Serial No. 609,755

1 This invention relates to pulverizers of the type embodying pulverizing rollers circularly arranged between opposed top and bottom coactin'g surfaces of which at least one is rotatable whereby to rotate the rollers, the material to be reduced being fed in at one 'end of the rollers with discharge at the other end.

An object of the invention is to provide means for taking the thrust of the rollers whereby friction is greatl reduced and the performance of the pulverizer accordingly improved. Another object is to provide a multi-stage pulverizer with balanced axial effect, eliminating the necessity for any bearing to take axial thrust, and having means for removing material to size between the stages. Another object is to provide a compact unit in which shaft journal bearings are also eliminated, this elimination of all hearings in turn eliminating any need for lubricating provisions. Another object is to provide apulverizer wherein spring means, serving to urge the opposed surfaces together, serves also to support the entire apparatus in a floating manner. Still another object is to Provide, in conjunction with the spring means, hydraulic supporting means for quickly adjusting the effect of the spring means. i low these and other objects are attainable will be described with reference to apparatus shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in axial section, of a pulverizer in accordance with the invention, a

Figure 2 is a half section of the pulverizer on line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is an elevation, with parts in section, of a hydraulic supporting system as applied to the pulverizer of Figures 1 and 2, and

Figure 4 shows the front end of a feed roller in perspective.

. Referring to Figure 1, reference numeral 5 designates an annular masonry wall deflning a pit 6 for pulverized material and having secured to its flat top surface an annular base plate 1. Fixed on plate 1 is a pair of concentric rin s, 8 and 9 defining a pocket receiving the lower ends of a multiplicity of powerful compression springs It.

A lower casing portion ll comprises an upwardly flared conical wall l2 which has a conical interior surface i3 disposed on akvertical axis; Downwardly, the conical portion l2 merges into a coaxial cylindrical discharge neck It. Upwardly the wall I! merges into an annular shoulder I 5 which is rimmed by a cylindrical flange is coaxial with the necls H. Formed under the shoulder l 5 are a multiplicity of spring pockets ll 14 Claims. (Cl. 241-105) which receive the upper ends of springs l0 so that the casing portion is supported by the springs with its discharge neck extending into the top of the pit 6.

Reference numeral l8 designates an upper casing portion substantially identical with portion ii, inverted, portion is including the conical wall l9, cylindrical neck 20. annular shoulder 2i and cylindrical flange 22. The wall l9 has an inner conical surface 23 coaxial with the surface H.

the surfaces being disposed base to base.

A ring 24 surrounds flanges l6 and 22 and has a top inturned flange 25 engaged over the shoulder 2|, the lower portion of the ring telescoping with the fixed ring ll. Pivoted to lugs 26 on the base plate I are a number of bolts 21 having nuts 28 threaded on their upper ends and engaging the tops of lugs 29 on ring 24, the bolts constituting adjustable hold-down means whereby the apparatus isheld against the upward urge of springs ill through interposed parts which will be later described.

Secured. on top of neck 20 is a tubular spacing section 30 to the top of which, through a rubber ring 3|, is secured the casing 32 of an electric motor whose armature shaft 33 is coaxial with neck 20. Section 30 has a side opening in which is supported a feed spout 3U. Shaft 33 is in driving connect-ion with a shaft 36 through a flexible coupling which is elongatable and compressible. Fixed on the lower tapered portion of shaft 34, by means of a nut '35, is a head 35 which has lower and upper conical outer surfaces 31 and 38 separated by a cylindrical surface 3d, all of these surfaces being coaxial with shaft 34 and, hence, with the conical surfaces is and 23 and symmetrically disposed with respect to the la ter. Surfaces 31 and 88 have the same conicity, as here shown. and with the surfaces i3 and 23 define lower and upper annular spaces 39 and id which enlarge toward each other.

Disposed in the space as is a series of truncated conical rollers 4| in side contact with each other and with their axes substantially intersecting the axis of shaft 34, the upper inner edges of the rollers being at the plane between surfaces 31 and 39. Similarly disposed-in the space 30 is a similar series of rollers 42 with their lower inner edges at the plane between surfaces 38 and 39. The adjacent fiat ends of the rollers engage a series of rotary bodies 43, here shown as balls, engaging a circumscrlbing race ring 44 supported on shoulder I5 and engaging the inner surfaces of flanges l6 and 22 and bridging the space between the latter, the balls serving to take the thrust of the rollers as maintained thereagain-st by the ring 44. Specifically, the thrust of rollers 4| against balls 43 is taken by race means including ring 44 and the large ends of rollers 42, while the thrust of rollers 42 against the balls is taken by race means including ring 44 and the large ends of rollers 4|. The upper end of each roller 42 has a notch 46, whose walls, as here shown, are in V relation and intersect each other in a line in an axial plane of the roller.

Shoulder 2| is provided with a number of openings 41 which emerge upwardly into a conduit 48 defined outwardly and upwardly by a hood member 49 having a cylindrical wall 50 secured to flange 25 and a flat annular wall sealed against wall i 9. A pipe 52 extends from an opening in wall 5| to a suction fan 53 driven by an electric motor 54 and adapted to deliver through a conduit 55 to storage.

In the operation of the apparatus, with the head rotating and thereby causing rotation and revolution of the rollers, material to be pulverized is fed through spout 30 to the upper ends of rollers 42, passing between the rollers, as aided by the feed notches 46. and being reduced during downward travel. Material to size emerging at the lower ends of the rollers 42 is drawn off by the fan 53 and passed to storage. Material not to size passes between balls 43 through chamber 43' to the spaces between rollers 4i and is reduced to emerge at the lower ends of the rollers and drop through the discharge neck l4 into the pit 6 from which it is removable in any suitable manner. Surface l 3 is sufliciently steep so that in the space 39 gravity effect will predominate over centrifugal force, thereby insuring that the material will not be thrown back into the ball space.

It will be evident that wear will be automatically taken up by the springs i0 and that any loss of compression can be compensated for by threading nuts 28 downwardly. Wear will cause the head to rise somewhat as permitted by the flexible coupling 35. The pressure on the head is balanced top and bottom and, consequently, there is no need for any thrust provisions for shaft 34. The roller series serve in effect as thrust and journal bearings and no bearing means, as such, for the shaft is provided. Consequently, the necessity for lubrication of the pulverizer is entirely eliminated.

It will be further evident that springs Ill not only serve to urge the upper and lower casing portions together with the proper force as determined by the adjustment of nuts 28, but also support the entire unit in a floating manner so that vibration effects are largely damped out.

In Figure 3 the spring Illa is shown as seating downwardly in an annular channel 56 of an inverted cup 51 which is inserted in the lower portion of the spring, cup 51 receiving a second inverted cup 58 which serves as a cylinder for an upright piston member 59 having a reduced portion 60 set in an opening in the base plate la. At its upper end the piston has lugs 6| on which the bottom of cylinder 58 can rest.

Reference numeral 62 designates a reservoir for hydraulic fluid in connection through a 'r 63 with a pump 64 which, through a control valve 65 extends to a T 66 in connection at one end with a header 61 branched into a vertical bore 68 of piston 69. T 63 is in connection through a control valve 69 with the other end of T 66. With valve 69 closed and valve 65 open. fluid can be pumped into the cylinder 58 so that spring a is urged upwardly to exert the required compressive force. By closing valve 65 and opening valve 69,

the pressure in the cylinder 58 can be relieved as desired. Header 61 is in connection with the hydraulic supports for all the springs Illa so that the latter are all adjustable simultaneously.

The described hydraulic system is of great service enabling the springs to be quickly and easily adjusted. In normal operation, the springs exert an enormous pressure. In starting the machine. it is desirable to relieve this pressure considerably until the machine has come to speed and these manipulations are readily effected through the operation of the hydraulic system.

While all of the springs may have the hydraulic supporting units, some of the springs might have solid bottom support as in Figure 1. For example, hydraulic units may be provided for every other spring, or anyother arrangement giving the desired results can be used.

It will be understood that variations in the form and arrangement of parts are possible and are contemplated under the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A. pulverizer comprising a fixed member having a conical surface disposed on a vertical axis, a rotary member having a conical surface coaxial with the first, a series of conical reducing rollers engaged between said surfaces with their axes substantially intersecting the axis of said surfaces, means yieldlngly urging said members together, a series of rotarybodies engaged by the large ends of said rollers, and means defining a race for said rotary bodies and maintaining them against the thrust of said rollers, said rollers being exposed at one end for feed and at the other end for discharge.

2. A pulverizer comprising a fixed member having a conical surface disposed on a vertical axis, a rotary member having a conical surface coaxial with the first, said surfaces defining an annular space which tapers inwardly toward the axis of said surfaces, a series of conical reducing rollers engaged, large end out, between said surfaces with their axes substantially in planes which include said axis, means yieldingly urging said members together, a series of rotary bodies engaged by the large ends of said rollers, and means deflning a race for said rotary bodies and maintaining them against the thrust of said rollers, said rollers being exposed at one end for feed and at the other end for discharge.

3. A pulverizer comprising a casing having upper and lower inner coaxial conical surfaces disposed base to base on a vertical axis, a rotary head disposed on the axis of said surfaces within the latter and having upper and lower outer coaxial conical surfaces disposed base to base so that upper and lower annular spaces which enlarge toward each other are defined between the surfaces of the head and those of the casing, upper and lower series of conical rollers in said spaces respectively with their axes substantially intersecting said axis, a series of balls engaged by the large ends of the rollers of both series, and means defining a race for said balls and maintaining them against the thrust of said rollers, the upper end of each series of rollers being exposed for feed and the lower end for discharge.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the upper end of the lower series of rollers is in receiving relation to the lower end of the upper series.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the upper end of the lower series of rollers is in receiving relation to the lower end of the upper series,

- games per and lower inner coaxial conical surfaces disposed base to base on a vertical axis, a rotary head disposed on the axis of said surfaces within the latter and having upper and lower outer coaxial conical surfaces disposed base to base so that upper and lower annular spaces which enlarge toward each other are defined between the surfaces of the head and those of the casing, upper and lower series of conical rollers in said spaces respectively with their axes substantially intersecting said axis, said casing defining an annular chamber between the adjacent ends of the upper and lower roller series, and means in said chamber taking the thrust of said rollers, the casing having an upper feed opening and a bottom discharge opening and said chamber serving to conduct to the lower roller series material emerging from the top roller series.

'7. A pulverizer comprising a casing having upper and lower inner coaxial conical surfaces disposed base to base on a vertical axis, a rotary head disposed on the axis of said surfaces within the latter and having upper and lower outer coaxial 'conical surfaces disposed base to base so that upper and lower annular spaces which enlarge toward each other are defined between the surfaces of the head and those of the casing, upper and lower series of conical rollers in said spaces respectively with their axes substantially intersecting said axis, said casing defining an annular chamber between the adjacent ends of the upper and lower roller series, means in said chamber taking the thrust of said rollers, the casing having an upper feed opening and a bottom discharge opening and said chamber serving to conduct to the lower roller series material emerging from the top roller series, and means for removing material to size from said chamber.

8. A pulverizer comprising a casing having upper and lower inner coaxial conical surfaces disposed base to base on a vertical axis, a rotary head disposed on the axis of said surfaces within the latter and having upper and lower outer coaxial conical surfaces disposed base to base so that upper and lower annular spaces which enlarge toward each other are defined betweenthe surfaces of the head and those of the casing, upper and lower series of conical rollers in said spaces respectively with their axes substantially intersecting said axis, said casing defining an annular chamber between the adjacent ends of the upper and lower roller series, means in said chamber taking the thrust of said rollers, the casing hav-' ing an upper feed opening and a bottom discharge opening and said chamber serving to conduct to the lower roller series material emerging from the top roller series, and suction means for removing material to size from said chamber.

9. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said upper and lower casing surfaces are on upper and lower casing portions which are movable relative to each other vertically, wherein spring means support the lower casing portion, and wherein adjustable hold-down means are provided for the upper casing portion.

10. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said upper and lower casing surfaces are on upper and lower casing portions which are movable relative to each other vertically, wherein spring means support the lower casing portion, wherein hold-down means are provided for the upper casing portion, wherein vertically acting expansible chamber means are provided in conjunction with the spring means for the support of the casing, and wherein a hydraulic system is provided for controlling the chamber means whereby to adjust the effect of the spring means. 11. Apparatus according .to claim 6 wherein said upper and lower casing surfaces are on upper and lower casing portions which are movable relative to each other vertically, wherein a series of compression springs support the lower casing portion, and wherein adjustable holddown means are-provided for the upper casing portion.

12. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said upper and lower casing surfaces are on upper and lower casing portions which are movable relative to each other vertically, wherein a series of compression springs support the lower casing portion, wherein adjustable hold-down means are provided for the upper casing, wherein vertically disposed piston and cylinder units are provided in conjunction with the spring means for the support of the casing, and wherein a hydraulic system is provided for expanding and contracting said units whereby to adjust the effect of said springs.

13. Apparatus according .to claim 12 wherein means is provided for removing material to size upon discharge from said upper series.

14. A pulverizer comprising a casing including separate spaced apart upper and lower portions having coaxial conical surfaces disposed base to base on a vertical axis, an external ring engaged with and depending from said upper portion and guiding said lower portion for vertical sliding movement, hold-down means for said ring. spring means supporting said lower portion, a rotary head disposed on said axis within said surfaces and having upper and lower outer coaxial conical surfaces disposed base to base so that upper and lower annular spaces which enlarge toward each other are defined between the surfaces of said portions and those of said head, upper and lower series of conical rollers in said spaces respectively with their axes substantially intersecting said axis, a series of balls engaged by the large ends of the rollers of both series, and a ring within the casing portions surrounding said balls and providing a race therefor which maintains them against the thrust of said rollers, said spring means acting to maintain contact of said balls with the roller ends and race, said upper portion having a top opening for feed and said lower portion having a bottom opening for discharge, said upper series delivering to said lower series past said balls? SAMUEL WILLIAM 'I'RAYLOR, Ja.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 203,127 Elting Apr. 30, 1878 1,444,485- Thomas 'Feb. 6; 1923 1,476,808 Ferguson a- Dec. 11, 1923 2,167,700 White Aug. 1, 1939 2,338,198 Pall Jan. 4, 1944 2,349,790 Johnson May 23, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 339,983 France June 23, 1904 

